Apparatus for stabilizing fabrics against shrinkage



4mm mm ww m \mw mg v MN w v i Q v A Q j E Q I ATTORNEY APPARATUS FOR STABILIZING FABRICS AGAINST SHRINKAGE Dec. 19, 1967 Filed May 2, 1966 a A m 1 1 H i w A c Q 2% \w km L 1 H i M M u H W R fi Q M M H HL \\N H m w F @i a wv $1 l\ @mm\ vm E i E /////////A/// k Dec. 19, 1967 J. R, FOSTER APPARATUS FOR STABILIZING FABRICS AGAINST SHRINKAGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 2, 1966 n w km Qm I :1:

United States Patent Office 3,358,392 Patented Dec. 19, 1967 3,358,392 APPARATUS F STABILIZING FABRICS AGAINST SHRINKAGE John R. Foster, Daly City, Calif., assignor, by mesne assrgrrrnents, to Koratron Company, Inc., San Francisco,

' Callf., a corporation of California Filed May 2, 1966, Ser. No. 546,797 5 Claims. (Cl. 34-218) The invention, in general, relates to means for controlling the dimensional stability of components of washable wearing apparel as well as of other articles manufactured from washable textile fabrics, and textile fabrics per se which have not been chemically treated or sensitized. More particularly, the invention relates to means for and methods of pre-shrinking various types and styles of textile fabrics employed in the manufacture of wearmg apparel, including garment components such as beltings, interlinings, facings, pocketings all generally referred to as trimmings and findings, as well as zippered tape; or other slide fasteners made from unsensitized c 0t While the invention is adaptable for utilization in a variety of different environments and is entirely suitable for use in connection with textile fabrics employed in the manufacture of household furnishings including draperies, lined curtains and upholstery and the like, it is especially suitable for adaptation to garment components in the general class of trimmings and findings which are incorporated into washable wearing apparel. Accordingly, for the sake of brevity and simplicity of explanation, the invention will be illustrated and described in the latter environment, particularly in relation to slide fastener tapes.

The prevention of puckering along the seams of garment sections has been one of the most important and difiicult problems of garment manufacturers to resolve, and such puckering problem is especially acute in respect to zippered shirts, jackets and other zippered garments. Since the advent in recent years of press-free washable garments possessing crease or shape retention properties seam puckering problems have increased enormously. This has been largely due to the differences in shrinkage factors between the chemically treated fabrics of which these press-free washable garments are made, on the one hand, and the unsensitized fabrics of the garment components including the zippered tapes or other slide fasteners, pocketing, belting and other trimmings and findings, on the other hand, which are incorporated into the conventional garments sold in thewash and wear trade. The present invention is directed to obviating the disadvantages, especially puckering of the seams, which have been heretofore encountered in the manufacture of garments of this type to afford garments with zippered tapes or other slide fasteners which are smooth about the hips and other areas in which such zippered tapes or slide fasteners are incorporated into the garment, and wherein the seams so made in incorporating such items or components into the-garments are substantially free from puckering.

A primary object of the invention is to provide means for stabilizing washable textile fabrics against shrinkable, and particularly for affording nylon warp zippered tapes that can be sewn to garment sections with facility without causing undue puckering of the seams of the finished garment, after repeated washings thereof.

Another important object of my invention is to provide an improved means of stabilizing textile fabrics against shrinkage which is characterized by the dimensional stabilization of untreated or unsensitized textile fabric components per se by a series of batch operations.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide means of the indicated nature which is additronally characterized by the dimensional stabilization of unsensitized textile fabrics per se.

Another important object of my invention is to provide an improved method of stabilizing unsensitized textile fabrics against shrinkage by continuous treatment of indeterminate lengths of textile fabric which has not been chemically treated or sensitized and which may be used 1n the making of either zippered tapes or slide fasteners as well as for making other findings and trimmings for incorporation into washable wearing apparel.

A still further object of my present invention is to provide improved means of the aforementioned character which is relatively simple to construct and install and which has a low cost of manufacture as well as a low cost of maintenance.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of stabilizing textile fabrics and end products thereof against shrinkage, and particularly a method of pre-shrinking unsensitized nylon warp zippered tapes that can be sewn to garment sections with facility and without causing puckering of the seams between the tapes and the garment sections after repeated washings of such garments.

Other objects of the invention, together with some of the advantageous features thereof, will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as well as of certain modified embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, of course, that I am not to be limited to the precise embodiments illustrated nor to the precise arrangements of the various component parts shown, as my invention, as defined in the appended claims, can be embodied in a plurality and variety of forms as well as can be carried out in a plurality and variety of ways.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a preferred embodiment of the invention for effecting the preshrinkage of a multiplicity of nylon warp unsensitized zippered tapes in a single operation.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a modified embodiment of the present invention; this view illustrating the means of and method for pre-shrinking indeterminate lengths of a textile fabric which has not been chemically treated or sensitized and which is capable of use in the manufacture of washable wearing apparel.

In its preferred form, the means and method of stabilizing unsensitized textile fabrics against shrinkage, particularly in respect to the pre-shrinking of unsensitized nylon warp zippered tapes, preferably comprises an autoclave or steam chest defining a relatively large chamber, means for providing saturated steam within said chamber under certain pressure and at certain temperature for a predetermined period of time, and an openable door at one end of said autoclave or steam chest, together with a mobile rack for placement in and removable from said chamber through said door; said rack consisting of a plurality of rows of longitudinally extending hanger bars arranged with the rack in spaced relationship to one another, and means for removably suspending upon each of said hanger bars singly or in groups a multiplicity of slide fasteners or zippered tapes for individual exposure to the saturated steam provided within said chamber.

In its modified form, my improved means for stabilizing unsensitized textile fabrics (fabrics which have not been chemically treated for wash and Wear garments where the chemicals introduced remain uncured until after the garment is made) against further shrinkage upon washing preferably comprises a chamber, means for maintaining in said chamber a quantity of steam under predetermined 3 pressure and temperature for a predetermined time interval, means for moving an indeterminate length of said fabric in relaxed condition from one end of said chamber to the other end thereof for exposing both sides of the fabric to the steam at the stated pressure and-temperature for the stated time interval. 7

As particularly illustrated in FIG. 1 of the annexed drawings, my preferred equipment for batch method of stabilizing unsensitized textile fabricagainst shrinkage embraces an autoclave or other steam chest which is generally designated by. the reference numeral 11. Preferably,

the autoclave 11 is constructed to relatively large dimensions so as to define a relatively large walk-in'chamber 12, and is provided with an operable door 13 which is suspended on top and bottom hinges 14 and which conveniently is provided with a groove 16 centrally of its bounding rim and in which a D-ring 17 is disposed for sealing the chamber 12 hermetically when the door is in closed position.

Any. conventional means may beemployed for generating and introducing saturatedsteam into chamber 12,- as well as for maintaining the saturated steam within the chamber for-a desired time interval. For example a steamboile r B together with a valve controlled steam inlet pipe 18, which establishes communication between boiler B and the chamber 12 through a stuffing box 18', may be provided for efiectuating this purpose. And'while' the control of the'flow of steam in the stem pipe 18 maybe manually operable, I preferably utilize means for'automatically controlling *the flow; such automatic control beinga conventional timer mechanism designated generally by the reference character T which functions to open the inlet pipe valve T periodically and holdit open for a predetermined time'upon the expiration of which time the timer-T automatically closes the steam inlet pipe valve T.

Moreover, I provide a steam vent or valve-controlledsteam discharge pipe 19 which communicates with the chamber 12 through valve T and stuffingbox 19 as well as with the atmosphere, the valve T" in the steam discharge line 19 automatically bein'g 'opcned by the action of the'timer Twhen the valve T inthe steam supply line 18 is periodically automatically closed. The timer -T with itsset' time interval, automatically re-opens the valve T in the steam inlet pipe 18-and simultaneously closes the outlet valve T" in the'steam vent line 19'and vioe-versa,

on repetitive time cycles which may be set by the operator for different textile fabrics which are to 'be stabilized against further shrinkage upon the washing of'the end products of each particular fabric.

In practicing the improved method of stabilizinglunsensitized text-ilefabrics against further shrinkage upon washing the same-in water, I have successfully subjected amultiplicity of nylon coil zipper tapes to exposure to the saturated steam inchamber 12 under pressure of approximately'27 pounds per square inchfor aperiod of 15 minutes. For a 20 inch nylon coil zipper tape, the shrinkage of the tapes ranged between /2 inch to A of an inch,

andno further'shrinkage occurred after washings in water.

Theaforesaid zippertapes, when exposed, were undernotension whatsoever as they were merely suspended from arodvsubjecting other types of zippered tapes to exposure for'stabilization against further shrinkage can be effectively: carried out in an autoclave under-pressures ranging-between approximately 24 to approximately 30 pounds per:square inch Within the'sealed chamber 12 at In accordance with the present invention as embodied' in equipment for anda method of-stabilizing-unsensitizedtextile fabric in zipper tape form, I provide for the treatment in batch operations of zipper tapes, which are generally designated by the reference numeral 21 in FIG.'1 of the annexed drawings, a"relatively large dimension mobile rack 22 5 which pan-bemaaua11jmev'ea 1me and withdrawn from the chamber12 at will; To this end, the rack u 22 is su'pported'on pairs ofsurface engaging"wheelsfof casters 23 and -24; of which but one caster ef eaehpar is shown, which are conveniently monnted for rotation on shafts 26 and 27, respectively; journaled in brackets 28 and 29, respectively, see FIG. 1, secured to the base 33, of the =rack22 at each side thereofj only bnebrackat of each of the-pairs'of brackets 28 and'=29 being illustrateda In addition to base '33," therack includesan open top 34 and an opposed 'pair'of open ends 3'6' and 37 consisting of two uprights 38'and 39 each' are provided to complete; the framework of the rack; only one -up1ight 38 and 39 of each open end being shown in 'the *drawing; As con venient supports for-the multiplicity of zipper tapes 21, I provide-and secure 'in vertically spaced 'relationship' to T one another on the inside of the rack a plnralityoflongi tudinally: extending I rods 41'-upon'wh ich-" can "be siifg'ly" suspendedby theuse of any conventional clip -fa'steri'u:r's'- 42 the various slide fasteners or zipper tapes 21 of 1111: sensitized cloth which are to be exposed to th'e'saturat'ed steam within chamber 12 for thepredeterminedinterval of time. The'slidefasteners 21 can be "suspendedira une cession'and in spaced relation as shown at the-left of FIG. 1 or can be suspended fromthe rods41fingroups of'two or three, asillustrated at thecenter andfri'ght' of FIG. 1; The spacing between rods 41 is' optional,-depend'-" ing on the lengths of thezipper tapes 21 to be pre shrun in the"chamber12: For convenience, the rods 4l m I removably mounted on the uprights' 38- and '39;:as'= desired, so that the'rod's 41 maybe 'loaded individually out side of chamber 12 and mounted in recesses on sockets" provided but not shown inth'e uprights 38 and39 of 'the rack 22; If all :of the rods 41, which are' in rowsuransfi" versely'iof the-'rack-and which' m'ay be 'reniovably mounted insockets formed ina series of transversely-spaced {u rights 38'and 39arran'ged in opposed pairs'at'the ends36fand 37 'of the rack'22; are loaded with zipper- -tapes"'21 I or other garment components outside 'of the *chambe'r 12 and brought in to the chamber ror mounting on raek22;- the rackcan be stationery or permanently'seatedwithini the chamber, in which case the castors 23and 24' ai1d? their rotational mounts may beeliminated;

Any suitable clamps can'b eniploye'd'for"hangingt the zipper tapes 21'upon rods '21,'the tapes being-"suspendable singlyas'shown at the" left of FIG.- -1 bridgto'irpsbftwb' or more as illustrated at the"-center"and' left 'of- -FIG 1. Thus, utilizing a' -nrobilerack zz,'an or the rods' fl nfay be loaded br partially loaded with-zipper tapes of unsensitized' Cloth Outside Of "the f 'Chambl "12' and 'theli the d'dr" l3 opened to admit'theloaded rack into the walk in chamber 12. Upon leaving-the chambenthe op'er-atdr closes do'or 13 and fires the boiler B, 'or turnsit on soas to create suf fic'ient steam fordelivery at the' aforesaidpressure and temperature" throughsteain' pipe -18 "to th'e' chamber? Thetimer T is then suitably adjusted so thEt intaIte valvc 'T will close automa'tically after a predetermind timein terval while the valve T" in vent or steam discharge'flin l9 'auwmaticany o ens; The "o eratoraheno ens- 21601 13 and removes the rack 22' with' its zip'pr tapes2l" p're"-' Shrunk to'their' maximum' extent; This cyele is le'p'at d until the-desired humbr'of zippr tapes 21 have been so pre-shrunk. 'If a-sta'tionary rack is provided in'char'riber 12,- with removable rods41 thereon, the-operator merelycaf ries the'loaded'rods into the chamber 12'andinounts them on' the stationary: At the expirationof thep'redeterminedii time interval, the loaded rods '41 containing the'pre' shrunk tapes'21are removed 'from such stationary rack 'and' the cycle repeated and'rep'eated as desired.

In "FIG. 2 of the annexednrawingsj I havefillustr'ated a modified embodiment of my invention in a method of stabilizing fabric against shrinkage, including a modified embodiment of equipment for stabilizing indeterminate yards of fabric, per se. It is to be understood that in both embodiments and methods of this invention, the garment or other fabric end products and components are made up from fabrics which are free of sensitizing chemicals, such as greige goods, and the fabric per se which is not as yet made up into zipper tapes or findings or trimmings, such as interlining for garments or other end products, is free of chemicals or is unsensitized. In the modification of FIG. 2, I also provide an autoclave or steam chest 111 which preferably is built to a relatively large size so that operators can walk in and out of the same and which, therefore, defines a relatively large steam chamber 112. An openable door 113 is mounted on suitable hinges 114 at one end of the autoclave 111 for ready access to the chamber 112; such door being conveniently provided with an opening 116 throughout its rim for the reception of a sealing D-ring 117.

As in the case of the embodiment of FIG. I, steam under pressure can be supplied to chamber 112 and withdrawn therefrom at constant flow for providing saturated steam within the chamber at temperatures ranging from 240 F. to 260 F. by means of valve-controlled steam supply and steam withdrawal conduits 118 and 119, respectively, establishing communication between a steam boiler B and chamber 112 through valves V in steam pipe 118 and V in vent line 119 and through conventional stuifing boxes 118' and 119, respectively. The valves V and V are alternately automatically opened and closed by an automatic Timer AT which is adjustable for functioning at the expiration of a predetermined time interval depending upon the nature and Weight of the fabric which will be subjected to saturated steam introduced and held in chamber 112. At the expiration of the set time, the automatic timer AT will open valve V in steam pipe 118 to admit steam generated by boiler B into the chamber 112 for a sufiicient time, say from to 15 minutes, and at a temperature ranging between 240 F. and 260 F. to cause all of the fabric in hte chamber to be exposed to the saturated steam therein, the valve V in vent line 119 being closed during this period. At the expiration of the predetermined time interval, the timer AT functions to open valve V' and simultaneously to close valve V in the vent and supply lines 119 and 118, respectively. This cycle may be repeated again and again to preshrink any quantity of yardage of unsensitized fabric, which is designated generally by the reference numeral 121 in FIG. 2 of the annexed drawings. Of course, the valves V and V can be manually controlled instead of automatically controlled.

In accordance with my invention in the modified method and embodiment, I provide within chamber 112 a system of idler rollers and drums, as well as a driven roller for moving an indeterminate length of unsensitized fabric 121 from one end of the saturated steam-containing chamber 112 at temperatures ranging between 240 F. and 260 F. for predetermined time periods. The system includes an idler roller 126 at one end of the chamber and a driven roller 127 at the opposite end thereof. The rollers are mounted on transverse shafts 128 and 129, respectively, in brackets, 131 and 132, respectively, secured to opposite side walls of the autoclave 111 and seated on the floor thereof. A motor 113, together with a belt and pulley drive 134 serve to drive the driven roller 127. The electrical circuit, not shown, containing the motor can include a push-button on and off switch, not shown, supported in the end wall of the steam chest 111 and in the path of the door 113 as it is opened and shut so that upon closing the door the switch is depressed to close the circuit and start motor 113 while opening of the door releases the switch to open the circuit and stop the motor 113.

As shown, idler roller 126 carries a large winding of fabric 121 which is initially partially unwound by an operator and alternately trained around an upper series of drums arranged in equally spaced intervals in a straight line, such drums being generally designated by the reference numerals 136, and around a similar series of drums 137 arranged in spaced relationship to one another but in staggered relationship with respect to the upper drums 136 and in a straight line from adjacent one end of the chamber 112 to the other; the leading withdrawn portion of the fabric being then partially wound about the driven roller 127 prior to closing door 113, starting the boiler for generation of the steam for introduction into chamber 112 and the starting of the motor 133. Suitable shafts 138 are journaled in bearings, not shown, extending transversely of the autoclave 111 for effecting the rotation of all the drums 136 and 137 when the motor 133 is in operation to gradually unwind the fabric 121 from the idler roller 126 and wind it up on driven roller 127.

In order to maintain the moving fabric 121 in as relaxed state as possible, suitable linkage 141 and 142 can be pivotally connected or supported on the end wall of the autoclave just above but adjacent to the idler roller 126 in an extended or projecting relation to the supporting end wall. The outer link 142 carries at its outer extremity by means of a pin 143 extending through the bifurcated end of link 142, a suitable presser roller 144 for continually engaging the outer surface of the diminishing roll of fabric 121 on idler roller 126, thus slowing or retarding the rate of unwinding of the fabric 121 so as to keep it in a relaxed condition as it is exposed on both sides thereof to the saturated steam in chamber 112 for the stated period and at the stated temperature. The arrows 145 indicate the direction of movement of the fabric 121.

It is to be understood that the appended claims are to be accorded a range of equivalents couunensurate in scope with the advances made over the prior art.

I claim:

1. Equipment for stabilizing unsensitized cloth against shrinkage; said equipment comprising an autoclave defining a relatively large chamber, an openable door for gaining access to said chamber and for hermetically sealing the same, a steam boiler, a valve-controlled steam pipe establishing communication between an outlet of said boiler and said chamber for conducting steam thereinto, a steam Vent pipe communicating with said chamber and the atmosphere for discharging steam from said chamber, a timer for controlling the valves in said steam pipe and said vent pipe upon the expiration of predetermined time intervals, and means for supporting a multiplicity of slide fastener tapes of unsensitized cloth within said chamber for a predetermined time interval for full exposure to saturated steam maintained in said chamber for said time interval; said means comprising a rack consisting of a frame, a series of longitudinally extending rods on said frame arranged in vertically spaced relationship thereon and from which said multiplicity of slide fastener tapes are individually and movably suspended.

2. Equipment as defined in claim 1 wherein the boiler supplies steam at a predetermined pressure ranging between 24 pounds to 30 pounds per square inch at a predetermined temperature ranging between 240 F. and 260 F. in order to maintain saturated steam within said chamber for said predetermined time interval.

3. Equipment for stabilizing unsensitized cloth against shrinkage; said equipment comprising an autoclave defining a relatively large chamber, an openable door on said autoclave for gaining access to said chamber and for hermetically sealing the same, a steam boiler, a valvecontrolled steam pipe establishing communication between an outlet of said boiler and said chamber for supplying steam thereto under predetermined pressure ranging between 24 pounds to 30 pounds per square inch at a predetermined temperature ranging between 240 F. and 260 F. in order to maintain saturated steam within said chamber for a predetermined time interval, a valvecontrolled steam vent pipe eommuriieatiiigwvith said chamb'erand withthe' a tmos'pherefdr 'dis-chargin'gst'eam from saidbhamber, a jtimer ffcbntrolling the valves in said steam pipe and said 've'nfpipe" upon 'tlieexpiration of said predetermined time intervals; and means fOr'movifig"=af1 indeterminate length 'of yardage of Mris'ensitized' cloth'ii an ung'erisioned state frOm'one' end to the other mid of said chamber during said predetermined time interval t6 efiect full exposure thereof to"the saturated steam maintained in said chamber; said'last named mearis Comprisiiig a' rotatable idler roller, a driven roller, and a-series of top and bottom rotatable idler drums over which said yardage of'an indeterminate: length unsensitized cloth is trained and is unwound from said idlerroller and wound upon said driven roller during said time interval.

4: Equipment as defirie'd' in claim 3 ,'ar d"mean 's"f6rr0'- tatiiig' said' driven rOHer'Qsaid 'drum s'an'd said idler 'rcille r. 5. Equipment" as defi'ried in"c laim"3,j and'rnear'i's for ret'a'r'diii'g The rate 'of rotation of said" idler roller.

References Cited V UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,848,877 3/1932 Gay: 34-9' 2,005,352- 6/1935 Shaw 26*185 2,409,543 10/ 1946' Chatfield 26'18;5 2,736,105 2/1956 Berger etal'; 34'-103 X 2,800,724 7/1957 Pope 34 37 X 3,131,697 5/1964 Rosnel" 26''18.5 3,270,429" 9/1966 Alberto'et'al. 2618.5'

KENNETH W.- SPRAG'UE, Primary Examiner 

1. EQUIPMENT FOR STABILIZING UNSENSITIZED CLOTH AGAINST SHRINKAGE; SAID EQUIPMENT COMPRISING AN AUTOCLAVE DEFINING A RELATIVELY LARGE CHAMBER, AN OPENABLE DOOR FOR GAINING ACCESS TO SAID CHAMBER AND FOR HERMETICALLY SEALING THE SAME, A STEAM BOILER, A VALVE-CONTROLLED STEAM PIPE ESTABLISHING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AN OUTLET OF SAID BOILER AND SAID CHAMBER FOR CONDUCTING STEAM THEREINTO, A STEAM VENT PIPE COMMUNICATING WITH SAID CHAMBER AND THE ATMOSPHERE FOR DISCHARGING STEAM FROM SAID CHAMBER, A TIMER FOR CONTROLLING THE VALVES IN SAID STEAM PIPE AND SAID VENT PIPE UPON THE EXPIRATION OF PREDETERMINED TIME 